A dispute over a donated rental unit to a non-profit organization at a Memphis, Tenn., self-storage led to an auction last week.

Memphis Furniture Bank, which collects goods for families displaced by fire or other disasters, had used the unit at American Mini-Storage for three years.

When new owners took over the business, they issued a bill for $421.82 to Shirley Williams, the executive director of the non-profit. The unit was listed in Williams name. Unable to pay the tab, the contents of the unit were sold Friday at auction.

The sold items included chaffing dishes and supplies used in the annual Memphis Thanksgiving Day Dinner, which the organization co-sponsors. The unit also had knit caps and about 1,000 pairs of new socks designated for donation, and a wheelchair and other personal items for a man who had lost his home in a fire.

The facilitys area manager said the owners attempted to work with Williams to clear the debt, but payment was never made. Williams is now looking for another facility willing to donate space.

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